Capital Development Committee recommends supplemental funding for Trinidad State College Freudenthal Library renovation
January 14, 2025 | Capital Development Committee, YEAR-ROUND COMMITTEES, Committees, Legislative, Colorado
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The Capital Development Committee recommended support Wednesday for supplemental spending requests tied to the Freudenthal Library renovation at Trinidad State College, approving both phase 1 and phase 2 requests by unanimous votes.
Trinidad State College President Rhonda Epper told the committee the project modernizes a library that has not seen improvements on this scale since it was built in the mid-1960s and creates new student collaboration and maker spaces. "We're excited to open the library next week on time for the spring semester, and we're proud of the transformation and the lasting impact it will have on our students," Epper said.
The renovation converts underused areas into a maker space, study lounge, team study rooms, a conference room and a business innovation space to support new work with Emergent Campus. The project also renovates the Loudounin Rizzi Archaeology Museum and the courtyard overlooking Fishers Peak. Epper said the original appropriation was based on a budget prepared in early 2020; pandemic-related cost increases required scope cuts, and the college has since secured additional grant and foundation fundraising to restore most of the original scope.
Epper told the committee Trinidad State requested additional spending authority of $695,139 for phase 1 and $195,000 for phase 2; committee motions to recommend the supplemental requests were moved by Representative Lindsey and approved on recorded 6-to-0 ballots. Representative Winter, who said she toured the facility and participated in the selection of art for the new library, praised the college's fundraising and stewardship of public dollars: "They've been very mindful on how they spend their money," Winter said.
Committee members asked few substantive questions during the presentation. The chair closed by congratulating the college on the fundraising and the progress and the committee recorded two separate motions recommending support for the supplemental requests; both motions passed by voice/poll vote with a 6 to 0 tally.
Trinidad State invited members to a grand opening on April 11 and said the renovated library will open for the spring semester.
Trinidad State College President Rhonda Epper told the committee the project modernizes a library that has not seen improvements on this scale since it was built in the mid-1960s and creates new student collaboration and maker spaces. "We're excited to open the library next week on time for the spring semester, and we're proud of the transformation and the lasting impact it will have on our students," Epper said.
The renovation converts underused areas into a maker space, study lounge, team study rooms, a conference room and a business innovation space to support new work with Emergent Campus. The project also renovates the Loudounin Rizzi Archaeology Museum and the courtyard overlooking Fishers Peak. Epper said the original appropriation was based on a budget prepared in early 2020; pandemic-related cost increases required scope cuts, and the college has since secured additional grant and foundation fundraising to restore most of the original scope.
Epper told the committee Trinidad State requested additional spending authority of $695,139 for phase 1 and $195,000 for phase 2; committee motions to recommend the supplemental requests were moved by Representative Lindsey and approved on recorded 6-to-0 ballots. Representative Winter, who said she toured the facility and participated in the selection of art for the new library, praised the college's fundraising and stewardship of public dollars: "They've been very mindful on how they spend their money," Winter said.
Committee members asked few substantive questions during the presentation. The chair closed by congratulating the college on the fundraising and the progress and the committee recorded two separate motions recommending support for the supplemental requests; both motions passed by voice/poll vote with a 6 to 0 tally.
Trinidad State invited members to a grand opening on April 11 and said the renovated library will open for the spring semester.
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